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Conservation Futures
Please note: The 2021 Conservation Futures Open Nomination Round has opened! See below for more info!
The Spokane County Conservation Futures Program was conceived in 1994 with the voters approval of an advisory ballot measure authorizing a property tax levy of (up-to) 6.25-cents per $1000 of property value, in order to acquire and preserve Spokane County's open space, streams, rivers, and other natural resources. What does this mean? For a home assessed at $150,000, up to $9 per year is assessed and dedicated to the Conservation Futures fund to preserve and enhance Spokane County's quality of life.
As of July 2020, the Conservation Futures Program has acquired over 9,145 acres through 52 acquisitions owned and managed by Spokane County, City of Spokane, and City of Cheney. To learn more about each acquisition since 1994, check out the Conservation Futures Acquisition History and a map of acquisitions to date!
Of the total levy revenue generated annually, 25% is dedicated toward maintaining, protecting and enhancing these properties in perpetuity. This translates into improved public access, signage, noxious weed control, and other activities that protect and enhance the public's investment.
2021 Nomination Round
[4/19/21 Update]
The Board of County Commissioners has approved opening a new Conservation Futures Nomination Round! What does that mean? It means that as a property owner or an organization / individual working with a property owner, you can complete a nomination form and submit it for consideration for future acquisition by the Conservation Futures Program. We will be accepting completed nomination forms from May 1 through midnight July 31. For more information, click below on the "2021 Program Packet" as well as the "2021 Open Nomination Round Schedule."
The outcome of this nomination round will be a ranked, prioritized acquisition list of all nominations received that will be used by staff to guide future open space acquisitions over the next 6 years starting with the top-ranked properties. Staff anticipates that 3-5 properties on this list will be acquired over that time period, however, there are many variables including purchase price, outside funding opportunities, and having willing sellers that could increase or decrease the amount of properties acquired.
Questions? Contact: Paul Knowles, Parks Special Projects Manager at (509) 477-2188 or pknowles@spokanecounty.org.
Conservation Futures Program
The Spokane County Conservation Futures Program was conceived in 1994 with the voters approval of an advisory ballot measure authorizing a property tax levy of (up-to) 6.25-cents per $1000 of property value, in order to acquire and preserve Spokane County's open space, streams, rivers, and other natural resources. What does this mean? For a home assessed at $150,000, up to $9 per year is assessed and dedicated to the Conservation Futures fund to preserve and enhance Spokane County's quality of life.
As of July 2020, the Conservation Futures Program has acquired over 9,145 acres through 52 acquisitions owned and managed by Spokane County, City of Spokane, and City of Cheney. To learn more about each acquisition since 1994, check out the Conservation Futures Acquisition History and a map of acquisitions to date!
Maintenance & Operations
Of the total levy revenue generated annually, 25% is dedicated toward maintaining, protecting and enhancing these properties in perpetuity. This translates into improved public access, signage, noxious weed control, and other activities that protect and enhance the public's investment.
2021 Nomination Round
[4/19/21 Update]The Board of County Commissioners has approved opening a new Conservation Futures Nomination Round! What does that mean? It means that as a property owner or an organization / individual working with a property owner, you can complete a nomination form and submit it for consideration for future acquisition by the Conservation Futures Program. We will be accepting completed nomination forms from May 1 through midnight July 31. For more information, click below on the "2021 Program Packet" as well as the "2021 Open Nomination Round Schedule."
The outcome of this nomination round will be a ranked, prioritized acquisition list of all nominations received that will be used by staff to guide future open space acquisitions over the next 6 years starting with the top-ranked properties. Staff anticipates that 3-5 properties on this list will be acquired over that time period, however, there are many variables including purchase price, outside funding opportunities, and having willing sellers that could increase or decrease the amount of properties acquired.
Questions? Contact: Paul Knowles, Parks Special Projects Manager at (509) 477-2188 or pknowles@spokanecounty.org.